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Many types of bacteria exist from beneficial kinds to harmful kinds. While the good bacteria assist
in digestion and promotes sound health, the bad ones have the capacity to cause severe health concerns.
Cleanliness is an essential part of preventing illnesses caused by harmful bacteria. Bad bacteria in the
digestive system can lead to food poisoning and illness. Food borne diseases are caused by not just the
bad bacteria but also by protozoa, viruses, toxins from natural sources, and several pathogenic agents.

Pathogenic bacteria are capable of harming the body by causing diseases. They usually harm the body under
certain circumstances. When there are existing wounds or certain health concerns, pathogenic bacteria use
this opportunity to replicate and spread. There are different kinds of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella
spp., Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio cholerae non-O1, Bacillus cereus, and Shigella
spp. For instance, the Salmonella spp. is a bacterium that grows in the shape of a rod and reaches the human
body through raw seafood, water, insects, swine, cocoa, cream toppings, desserts, and poultry.

The Enterovirulent Escherichia coli Group are micro organisms responsible for several food borne diseases.
The group consists of four different types of micro-organisms, which are namely Escherichia coli
O157:H7 enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), Escherichia coli - enteropathogenic (EPEC), Escherichia coli
- enteroinvasive (EIEC), and Escherichia coli - enterotoxigenic (ETEC). Gastroenteritis is
the most common digestive disorder caused by this group.

Parasitic protozoa include micro organisms such as Cyclospora cayetanensis and Entamoeba histolytica.
Amoebiasis is a common disease caused by the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica.

Viruses also cause food borne diseases. Norwalk virus group, Hepatitis A virus, Rotavirus, Hepatitis E
virus, and a few gastroenteritis viruses completely disrupt the digestive system. In some cases, the
person preparing the food ends up allowing his or her own fecal matter into the food especially if the
person has not washed his or her hands thoroughly. Rotavirus and Hepatitis A virus usually enter the
body through food.

There are different forms of natural toxins that enter the body. The Tetrodotoxin enters the body if puffer
fish is eaten without cleaning it properly. It can cause violent and sudden death. There are other toxins such
as Grayanotoxin and Gempylotoxin caused by bad or old honey and Escolar respectively.

One of the most prevalent pathogenic agents is the Prion. They are not organisms but tissues of animals that
have either not grown properly or have gotten infectious due to an external agent. A disease called the Mad
Cow Disease is caused by prions.

Food borne disease can be prevented if cleanliness is maintained at all times, not just by washing hands before
eating, but also by ensuring cleanliness everywhere and in everything. It’s also important to buy raw foods
such as fish and meat from FDA approved sources only. Look to the following resources for more information on the
pathogenic bacteria, parasites, micro-organisms, viruses and natural toxins that are known to cause food borne illness.